|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: Jesse Mendez
Hank Kornblut added to this discussion on March 23, 2025
|
Can we appreciate what he did last night....and in his last two matches?
An escape with 3 seconds to go in OT versus Beau Bartlett and then a rideout. What balls. That's what he had to do just to make the finals.
And then a TD in the waning seconds of the first period to put him right back in the NCAA finals match. How often do you see that happen? When Hardy went up 5-0 (and it looked like 6-0 to me), did you think the match was over? That's a huge deficit in a sport where guys can handfight for 7 minutes when necessary.
Mendez gave us a reason to cheer as fans. Kudos to him on a very difficult accomplishment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDYe8Xg_qzs
|
Last edited by Hank Kornblut on March 23, 2025; edited 1 time in total
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: Jesse Mendez
Casey Talbott added to this discussion on March 23, 2025
|
Yes, awesome on all fronts. Down 5-0, then total warrior from there. And yes, the TD at end of the first was huge, put him right back in the match.
Great way to end the tournament, on a really high note.
Bartlett is really difficult to wrestle, and to score upon.
Their matches always seem to come down to the final seconds which of course is hard on the heart.
Honestly, I was concerned about Jesse's quarterfinal match, too, against VomBauer of Minn. VomBauer took him to the absolute brink just a few weeks before, in the dual. But Jesse came out like a man possessed, dominated from opening whistle.
Woo hoo!!
|
Last edited by Casey Talbott on March 24, 2025; edited 1 time in total
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: Jesse Mendez
Scott Clemmons added to this discussion on March 23, 2025
|
While I didn't think it was over, I felt it was close to that!
What an absolute beast. That 1st period TD was key to evening things out. And then he wrestled so well on top the rest of the way.
And it's another reminder that the great ones almost always seem to turn it on when the lights are the brightest. Remember when everyone kinda thought he was in a funk. He brought it in the championships. Seems many of the elite can do this. Just an awesome match!
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: Jesse Mendez
Freddy Carr added to this discussion on March 23, 2025
|
Did it look like Hardy was getting sick? At the arena it looked like he was throwing up in his mouth when being tilted.
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: Jesse Mendez
Drew Taylor added to this discussion on March 23, 2025
|
Flo in the spring of Jesse’s HS senior season followed him around at a senior freestyle event and it was apparent then that his mindset was elite. Jesse would come off the mat and immediately assess his performance in a very sober way, not so much concerned about whether he had won or lost. It was high level analysis that showed unusual maturity at that age.
I’ve often thought about that interview. Jesse in three NCAA appearances has displayed incredible mental toughness. Recall his freshman year when he won like four straight OT bouts to make the podium. He’s different.
I’ll miss his rivalry with Bartlett, also an elite competitor. They split six matches with Jesse winning the three most consequential- NCAA finals, NCAA semifinals, and Big Ten finals.
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: Jesse Mendez
Hank Kornblut added to this discussion on March 24, 2025
|
Where does Jesse currently rank in the pantheon of great Ohio State wrestlers? Here are my rankings if you just consider college.
1) Snyder (3x champ and 4x finalist)
2) Logan (4x champ)
3) Rowlands (2x champ, 3x finalist and 4x AA)
4) Randleman (2x champ, 3x finalist)
5) Mendez (2x champ, 3x AA)
6) Tomasello (1x champ, 3x third)
7) Martin (1x champ and 4x AA)
8) Palmer (4xAA)
9) Pucillo (1x champ and 3xAA)
10) Jaggers (2x champ and 3xAA)
Hon. Mentions: Bergman, Holman, Clark, Sasso, Mckenna, Nick Heflin, Mark Coleman, Jude Skove, Dave Reinbolt, George Bollas, George Downes, Adam Disabato, Micah Jordan, Bo Jordan, Luke Pletcher, Kollin Moore, Kaleb Romero, Robert Sessley, Ed Potokar
Trying to limit my Hon. Mentions to guys who won NCAA titles or were at least 3xAA's. Hence a stud like Reece Humphrey doesn't make the list. I think Nick Preston was a 2xAA as well.
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: Jesse Mendez
Drew Taylor added to this discussion on March 24, 2025
|
But for Covid, Kollin Moore is a four-time AA, likely a champ, and twice a finalist.
But it’s unfair to just assume he would’ve won it so I understand leaving him off.
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: Jesse Mendez
Hank Kornblut added to this discussion on March 24, 2025
|
|
Quote from Drew Taylor's post:
|
|
"But for Covid, Kollin Moore is a four-time AA, likely a champ, and twice a finalist.
But it’s unfair to just assume he would’ve won it so I understand leaving him off."
|
Good point. he probably slots in at 7 if he wins a title. Covid....
Luke Pletcher was in a similar position.
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: Jesse Mendez
Roe Fox added to this discussion on March 24, 2025
|
|
Quote from Hank Kornblut's post:
|
|
"Where does Jesse currently rank in the pantheon of great Ohio State wrestlers? Here are my rankings if you just consider college.
1) Snyder (3x champ and 4x finalist)
2) Logan (4x champ)
3) Rowlands (2x champ, 3x finalist and 4x AA)
4) Randleman (2x champ, 3x finalist)
5) Mendez (2x champ, 3x AA)
6) Tomasello (1x champ, 3x third)
7) Martin (1x champ and 4x AA)
8) Palmer (4xAA)
9) Pucillo (1x champ and 3xAA)
10) Jaggers (2x champ and 3xAA)
Hon. Mentions: Bergman, Holman, Clark, Sasso, Mckenna, Nick Heflin, Mark Coleman, Jude Skove, Dave Reinbolt, George Bollas, George Downes, Adam Disabato, Micah Jordan, Bo Jordan, Luke Pletcher, Kollin Moore, Kaleb Romero, Robert Sessley, Ed Potokar
Trying to limit my Hon. Mentions to guys who won NCAA titles or were at least 3xAA's. Hence a stud like Reece Humphrey doesn't make the list. I think Nick Preston was a 2xAA as well."
|
I might go Jags 6, NATO 7, MyMar 8, Pucillo 9 and Palmer 10. Titles count higher in my opinion. These lists are always fun.
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: Jesse Mendez
Bruce Andrews added to this discussion on March 24, 2025
|
For completeness, you might want to indicate that Palmer was a 1x finalist
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: Jesse Mendez
Jeff Reid added to this discussion on March 24, 2025
|
Looks like Jesse might have to contend with Ono next year. I would assume he will replace Bartlett.
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: Jesse Mendez
Brady Hiatt added to this discussion on March 25, 2025
|
|
Quote from Jeff Reid's post:
|
|
"Looks like Jesse might have to contend with Ono next year. I would assume he will replace Bartlett."
|
I don't believe Ono is going 141. He has stated he wants to go 57kg for World/Oly.
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: Jesse Mendez
Doug Gainous added to this discussion on March 25, 2025
|
I'd put Logan 1. Credentials can be argued but I thinkk he was a better wrestler. Bar half was amazing. Also Snyder gets points off for heavyweight and going to PSU. Mendez moves to #2 with a champ next yr.
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: Jesse Mendez
Chris Thomas added to this discussion on March 25, 2025
|
|
Quote from Doug Gainous's post:
|
|
"I'd put Logan 1. Credentials can be argued but I thinkk he was a better wrestler. Bar half was amazing. Also Snyder gets points off for heavyweight and going to PSU. Mendez moves to #2 with a champ next yr."
|
|
Last edited by Chris Thomas on March 25, 2025; edited 1 time in total
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: Jesse Mendez
Chris Thomas added to this discussion on March 25, 2025
|
|
Quote from Doug Gainous's post:
|
|
"I'd put Logan 1. Credentials can be argued but I thinkk he was a better wrestler. Bar half was amazing. Also Snyder gets points off for heavyweight and going to PSU. Mendez moves to #2 with a champ next yr."
|
No way! Can't pass Snyder. Won an Olympic/World Title while still in Columbus. Neither had a redshirt but Jesse has 14 losses to Kyle's 5 to this point. It's levels to even greatness.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
